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Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Survey The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Survey is currently being conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Research and Training Center on Community Living and The Arc to learn more about the experiences of parents and family members who provide support to their family member with intellectual or developmental disability. |
Announcement from the Great Lakes ADA Center: National ADA Symposium Registration Stipend Application
We are pleased to announce that the ADA National Network is hosting the 21st annual ADA National Symposium on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability issues.
About the Symposium
The Symposium will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois from May 14th to May 17th, 2017.
The ADA Symposium includes up to date information regarding employment, communication, transportation, emergency preparedness, case law, regulatory updates for government and private entities and the latest on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Hear from presenters representing various federal agencies including the Departments of Justice, Education, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Access Board. This year there are break-out sessions on a wide-range of ADA related topics and online access to hand-outs from all sessions prior to the conference. You can view the Symposium schedule and agenda on-line.
Stipend to Attend
The Great Lakes Center will continue our history of supporting participation and attendance from across our six state region. To that end, we are making available a number of stipends in the amount of $750.00 to cover the cost of registration (we will not pay late registration fees). The conference is very popular and registration numbers have imploded over the past few years resulting in cut off of registration before the deadline due to it being full. Thus, it's very important that individuals desiring to attend register for the conference in a timely manner.
Applications will only be accepted from individuals who reside in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI). This stipend is only valid for the 2017 Symposium and registration should be completed as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted through January 27th, 2017.
Notification to recipients will be made by email within the first week of February. Individuals will be responsible for completing the registration process in a timely manner. The sooner you register, the better chance you have of getting the sessions that you want as well as reduce the risk of the registration closing due to being full. Individuals who fail to register in a timely manner will forfeit the stipend. Receipt of the stipend does not guarantee registration. The registration process for the National symposium is a first come, first serve process and our office does not have control over it.
Questions regarding the Symposium and the stipend program should be directed to the Great Lakes Center at 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm Central Time or by email to adata@adagreatlakes.org.
Stipend recipients are responsible for their own travel arrangements and travel costs. The registration fee includes 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches plus a networking reception. The 2017 Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, IL. Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $159.00 plus tax. Hotel information can be found on the Symposium Website or by calling (847) 696-1234.
January 2017
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The 4th annual Aging Empowerment Conference: Living a Self-Determined Life will be held June 6th (full conference) and June 7th (Self-Determination Summit) at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Sponsored by InControl Wisconsin, this unique event gathers older adults, their families, and the professionals who support them and explores self-determination and empowerment in aging. Presentation proposals and exhibitor applications are now being accepted. Submission are due February 15th. Apply today!
Medicaid Block Grants
The future of Medicaid will be a big issue in 2017. Federal efforts are underway to change Medicaid to a block grant program that states would administer. This could have a major impact on programs such as Family Care, IRIS, BadgerCare, SeniorCare, and many other programs that older adults and people with disabilities rely on. The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities/The Arc have put together this presentation that explains in detail what block grants are and how this would effect people with disabilities. Additionally, the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition has launched a survey for adults and children with disabilities, older adults, their families, care providers, and low income adults to take about how these changes would effect them. They have also created a document to help people talk to policymakers about how block grants would effect them. We encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Medicaid block grants and to share your thoughts and opinions with your legislators.
ABLE Accounts
The second anniversary of the signing of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act is approaching. It allows people with disabilities to setup tax-free saving accounts for disability related expenses which won't jeopardize their government benefits. Wisconsin legislation repealed the law, so we won't have an ABLE program. However, several other states have enacted the law and have setup programs for ABLE accounts. Many of the programs allow people who reside in other states to setup accounts as well. In our ABLE account section on the Network, we're posting information about states creating new programs as they become available. Additionally, the ABLE National Resource Center recently released an Accomplishments and Outcomes Report. It includes lots of interesting statistics and success stories about how ABLE accounts have helped people so far. Learn more about how these accounts could help you or people you know lead a better life!
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Top ADA Cases of 2016: January 18th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Dating Workshop: January 20th, 5p.m. to 8p.m., ADRC of Sheboygan County, Sheboygan WI
- Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Quarterly Meeting: January 26th, 9a.m. to 4:30p.m., Skype, Telephone, or Crowne Plaza, Madison WI
- Advocacy for Change: March 2nd, 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., Concourse Hotel, Madison WI
- 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference: April 13th to 17th, Ohio State's Columbus Campus, Columbus OH
- 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? Contact Stacy Ellingen.
For this month's entry, Stacy discusses how the New Year brings different types of new hope and opportunities for people with disabilities. We encourage you to share your experiences as well.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Wisconsin AAC Network: Mike is looking for people to join the Wisconsin Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Network. Find out what this Network is about.
- TellMe TV: The first online movie service for people who have visual impairments is now available. Learn about how it works.
- Airplane Accessibility: The Department of Transportation is trying to improve accessibility of airplanes for those with disabilities. Read about the rule proposal.
- Updated ADA Guidelines for Buses and Vans: The US Access Board recently updated accessibility guidelines for transportation vehicles covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn what the guidelines address.
- Hotel Accessibility: A report reveals that hotel accessibility is right on track. Find out what's improving.
- Special Needs Trusts: A new law makes it possible for people with disabilities to create their own special needs trust. Read about this law.
- Home Health Care Worker Shortage: It's pretty well known that Wisconsin has a shortage of direct care workers. Learn about how some high schools in southwest Wisconsin are trying to help.
- Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment: New accessibility standards were recently released for medical diagnostic equipment. Find out what these standards mean.
- Information and Technology Accessibility: A new rule was recently released updating accessibility requirements for information and technology in the federal sector. Read about how the new requirements will help people with disabilities.
The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.
Survival Coalition has launched an important survey for adults and children with disabilities, older adults, their families, care providers, and low income adults. You can take this survey, share the link, and ask everyone you know to take it. Many people are unaware that the health care, supports, services, and programs they are familiar with (Family Care, IRIS, CLTS, Katie Beckett) are funded by Medicaid. Policymakers in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. are proposing big changes to Medicaid, including Medicaid Block Grants. These changes could happen quickly and could have big impacts on the disability community. The survey asks about the Medicaid services and supports that you or your loved ones use to help you live your life and stay healthy, and how important these supports are to your life. Deadline to fill out the survey is Jan. 31.
ABLE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER: ABLE National Resource Center Publishes Accomplishments and Outcomes Report
By SD Network, 2017-01-12
The ABLE National Resource Center recently released an Accomplishments and Outcomes Report. We're nearing the second anniversary of the signing of the ABLE Act which allows people with disabilities to setup tax-free saving accounts for disability related expenses. These accounts won't jeopardize their government benefits. The report includes lots of interesting data and success stories.
Policymakers in Washington and Wisconsin are discussing changing Medicaid to a block grant program. This will change the way Wisconsin delivers many Medicaid services to people with disabilities, older adults, families, and children. Medicaid block grants are intended to reduce federal Medicaid spending and reduce future growth in Medicaid budgets. The Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition has created a document to help people talk to policymakers about how block grants would effect them.
WLTCC Questions for Policymakers about Medicaid Block grants WLTCC Questions for Policymakers about Medicaid Block grants.pdf, 310KB ∞
The future of Medicaid will be a big issue in 2017. Federal efforts are underway to change Medicaid to a block grant program that states would administer. This could have a major impact on programs such as Family Care, IRIS, BadgerCare, SeniorCare, and many other programs that older adults and people with disabilities rely on. Check out this presentation for information on what block grants are all about. Thank you to the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and The Arc/Wisconsin for this helpful explanation.
WPBDD Medicaid Block Grants Presentation Medicaid Block grants.pdf, 1.3MB ∞
Discussions taking place at the federal level about Medicaid block grants, which cap funding for the program, would have a major impact on the 1.2 million Wisconsinites, including people with disabilities and older adults, who use Medicaid programs (Family Care, IRIS, MAPP, BadgerCare, SeniorCare, CCS, CRS, Katie Becket and more). This op-ed piece written by Barbra Beckert of Disability Rights Wisconsin explains in detail about how these block grants could effect many people.
Happy New Year! Many people think of January as a time to get a fresh start. People often take time to reflect on the past year and think about the year ahead. Some make specific resolutions while others just wish for a better year. Many people my age wish for things like a marriage proposal, a wedding, more children, or to move into a new house. Over the holidays, I got a chance to see many family members and friends. As I listened to them talk about the upcoming year with excitement in their voice, I couldn’t help but think about my life really is.
While in the back of my mind, I’ll always wish for those “normal” things, as New Years rolled around this year, I thought about what I have to look forward to. At the top of my list is getting a new computer setup and a new phone.
Since mid-summer, I’ve been in the process of getting a new computer. My current computer is now over six years old and on its last legs. I originally began researching new computers a few years ago, but I discovered my adaptive keyboard wouldn’t work with updated operating systems. I had been checking the company’s website periodically to see if there was updated software for the keyboard. In July or August, I realized that the company had discontinued the keyboard. It was then I knew I needed some help. After contacting several different people trying to inquire about how to get funding for an assistive technology assessment (AT) done, I ended up reopening my Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) case and using “post-employment services” to get an AT assessment done. After my case was opened, I had to pick a vendor to do the assessment. Due to a lack of communication, this ended up being a long drawn out process.
I chose to go through my regional Independent Living Center (ILC) to do the assessment. The assessment was finally scheduled in mid-December. The specialist asked me a bunch of questions about my history and abilities via email beforehand, so, when he came to my apartment to meet with me, he already had some ideas. My biggest issue was that I need mouse functions that are built into an enlarged keyboard. Due to spasticity from Cerebral Palsy, I’m unable to use a regular mouse. I control the mouse using buttons on my keyboard. He brought some adaptive equipment for me to try and he did some research afterward; however, ultimately, we discovered the best option for me would be to get a new computer with the same operating system I currently have (and not get the updated system) and buy a new adapted keyboard just like the one I have (luckily other companies still sell the discontinued keyboard). There isn’t any other enlarged keyboard on the market that has mouse functions built in. While, admittedly, I’m pretty disappointed that I have to get an outdated system because technology hasn’t advanced enough, I’m thankful that I’m able to at least get a “new” computer. The AT specialist also recommended some additional software programs that will save me a lot of time. I’m waiting for him to finish up his report and send it to DVR. Then, we can determine what the next steps are and hopefully, get it all ordered!
Additionally, I’ve been looking at getting a new cell phone. My current phone is about a year and a half old. Depending how old you are, that’s either considered pretty new or pretty old. The reason I want a new phone is because I discovered I can access a phone with a bigger screen easier. Given my limited fine motor ability, many people are amazed how well I’m able to use a touch screen cell phone. I’ve come to depend on my cell for much more than calling and texting. I use it to communicate with others most of the time. As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, I have an iPad for a communication device, but, because I can’t pull up to any tables when it’s mounted on my chair, I rarely use it for day to day communication. I’ve found that I can type a message on my phone (which is conveniently mounted on my chair) and have people read it. I’m also able go on the Internet and do emails on my phone. It has really become a lifeline for me. Having a phone with a larger screen will just make my life easier.
So, while getting a new computer and phone probably isn’t a big deal to most people, it is to me. It’s something I look forward to this year. It’s something that excites me because both of these things are things that I spend most of my time on. I’m sure, like every other year, this year will be filled with ups and downs, but that’s a part of life. We just have to make the best of it!
***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.
The Wisconsin AAC Network is a network for people who use Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC), their family members, and people who work with people who use AAC. Wisconsin AAC Network is new in Wisconsin. We have three programs which are New Families to AAC, Education, and The Leadership Team. We are a mentor and support system for families who are starting out on their AAC journey. Tips and suggestions for new families are available by mail or email. My email is mike4@new.rr.com. In the future, we will be having a new family’s class. In the class, you will be learning about AAC, United States Society of AAC, helpful tools and websites. The leadership team will meet quarterly on the internet or in person to talk about what is happening in Wisconsin for people who use AAC. Before I had my communication device, I never talked to my family members, my friends and my IEP team. Now, I don’t stop talking. That is how AAC changed my life. Thank you and please like Wisconsin AAC Network on Facebook.